The concept of the climate shadow
This term refers to all the environmental impacts and greenhouse gas emissions linked to our lifestyles. It encompasses invisible aspects, often ignored by the general public, such as the indirect emissions of the goods we consume. For example, the carbon footprint of a product is not limited to its manufacture, but also includes its transport, use and end-of-life.
According to a report by the French Environment and Energy Management Agency (ADEME), consumption of goods and services accounts for around 60% of the carbon footprint of French people. This figure reveals the extent to which our daily habits, such as our choices of transport, energy consumption or even leisure activities, directly influence our carbon footprint.
Who is concerned by the climate shadow?
The climate shadow is much more than a question of greenhouse gas emissions from major industries. It's a global phenomenon that concerns each and every one of us, as consumers, citizens and actors in society. Everyone is concerned, from companies to governments to individuals. Every decision we make, every product we buy or every mode of transport we choose has a direct impact on our carbon footprint.
What are the main sources of climate shadow?
The sectors most concerned by climate shadowing are:
✈️ Transport: Airplanes, cars, public transport... each of these means of transport generates a substantial carbon footprint, especially if we opt for less environmentally-friendly choices such as air travel.
⛽️ Energy: The use of no-renewable energy (coal, gas, oil) in our daily lives increases our carbon footprint. Consumption habits linked to heating, air-conditioning and household appliances play a no negligible role.
🥩 Food: Agriculture, particularly meat production, generates significant greenhouse gas emissions. Making more eco-responsible food decisions can help reduce its impact on the climate.
Why is this climate shadow phenomenon a cause for concern?
© Suhyeon Choi
The climate crisis we are experiencing is largely fueled by greenhouse gas emissions, and a large proportion of these emissions come from what are known as "indirect emissions". These emissions are therefore invisible, making them difficult to quantify. Yet their impact is just as tangible. According to a study by the University of Leeds, climate shadowing accounts for a significant part of current global warming, with particularly serious consequences for already vulnerable areas, potentially leading to natural disasters.
This means that, even if certain sectors have taken visible steps to reduce their impact (solar panels, reduction of industrial emissions...), the entire global consumption system continues to emit greenhouse gases.
When did these issues emerge?
Climate shadow is a phenomenon that has been amplified with the rise of consumer society and industrialization, from the 20th century onwards. But in reality, scientific knowledge and data on these impacts have only really been documented in the last decades. The studies carried out by **ADEME and the IPCC **on the carbon footprint are now invaluable tools for measuring and understanding this invisible impact, particularly with a view to reducing global emissions.
The carbon footprint: from concept to action
© Tom Barrett
Well, it's not all doom and gloom! Since we are all concerned, we can also take action to reverse the trend. The principle of the climate shadow invites reflection: how can we change our consumption and behavior to minimize the invisible consequences of our choices?
♻️ Food: Reduce consumption of animal products, give preference to short distribution channels and sustainable agriculture.
♻️ Transportation: Give preference to public transport or cycling, and of course, choose electric rather than combustion-powered vehicles.
♻️ Energy: Switch to more responsible energy solutions, such as renewable energies (solar, wind, etc.) and renovate our buildings to make them more energy-efficient.
Two women behind the climate shadow concept
The climate shadow concept was introduced by Emma Pattee, a writer and journalist from Portland, Oregon, to offer a new way of assessing the total impact of a person's choices on the planet. For Pattee, the climate shadow is not limited to visible direct actions, such as energy consumption or car journeys, but encompasses all the decisions and behaviors that affect our environment, often invisibly.
In an article published in 2021, Pattee described the climate shadow as a "dark shape" that follows each individual, taking into account far more than we might imagine: "Your climate shadow is a dark shape that extends behind you. It follows you wherever you go, and takes into account not only your use of air conditioning and your car's fuel consumption, but also who you vote for, how many children you choose to have, where you work, how you invest your money, how much you talk about climate change, and whether your words encourage a sense of urgency, apathy or denial. "
This concept was enriched by reflections shared with climate scientist Katharine Hayhoe, who helped deepen this idea by stressing the importance of considering the impact of our choices in a more global way, including those that seem further removed from the immediate environmental issues.
What's in it for us?
✅ Reducing the climate shadow requires a large-scale change in consumption, from transport choices to food.
✅ The carbon footprint is an often invisible but very real reality, which deserves our attention.
✅ Every little gesture counts and contributes to an overall reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.
To go further
For those who wish to deepen their understanding of the climate shadow and carbon footprint, several resources are available. You can consult books such as "Le Bilan Carbone de la Terre" by Jean-Marc Jancovici or the podcast "Le changement climatique expliqué à ma mère" which presents the issues in a fun and educational way.
Recent news on the climate shadow
On January 5, 2024, the UN published an alarming report on the increase in greenhouse gas emissions. This report shows that, despite global efforts to limit emissions, we have crossed a critical threshold which could lead to irreversible climate change if urgent action is not taken. This report highlights the importance of rethinking our energy consumption and transportation patterns to avoid worst-case scenarios.
FAQ - Learn more about the climate shadow
© Pramod Tiwari
1. What are the main companies involved in the fight against climate shadow?
Companies like Tesla, Patagonia, and Unilever are leaders in reducing their ecological impact. They are investing in solutions such as renewable energies, energy efficiency and eco-responsible products, tackling both direct and indirect carbon emissions.
2. How does the climate shadow differ from the carbon footprint?
Thecarbon footprint measures direct greenhouse gas emissions, while theclimate shadow encompasses the invisible impacts of our actions, such as the production and transportation of consumer goods. The climate shadow is therefore a more global and indirect view of the carbon footprint.
3. What are the most significant individual impacts on the climate shadow?
Choices in terms of transport (airplanes, cars), food (meat consumption) and energy (use of fossil fuels) are the main contributors to the climate shadow. Opting for greener alternatives can significantly reduce the impact.
4. What are the most effective initiatives for reducing climate shadow?
The most effective initiatives include reducing air travel, switching to renewable energies, and responsible consumption (renting rather than buying). Every little gesture, like buying local or plant-based, counts in reducing our global impact.
5. How can brands improve their climate shadow performance?
Brands can reduce their climate shadow by optimizing their supply chain (choosing sustainable materials), raising consumer awareness of responsible consumption, and offsetting their emissions, for example by planting trees or investing in ecological projects.
Climate shadow VS carbon footprint, who wins the match?
In a article devoted to the subject of climate shadow, Bon pote, the independent environmental media, explains the advantages over carbon footprint. We summarize them for you:
The arguments FOR climate shadowing
1. A broader vision than simple carbon accounting
The climate shadow is not limited to measurable greenhouse gas emissions. It includes more global aspects, such as ethics, exemplarity and energy devoted to the cause. As "good buddy" says, it "goes beyond the carbon footprint and addresses other angles". This enables a more complete understanding of the impact of individual choices The importance of exemplarity
2. Setting an example
Good buddy takes the example of a scientist who flies while advocating eco-responsible behavior. He will lose credibility, despite an immediate low carbon impact. "Exemplarity has a key role to play in the climate shadow," the article reminds us, "in particular to positively influence others.
3. An impact beyond visible actions
The climate shadow incorporates invisible choices, such as how we vote or where we invest our money, factors that the carbon footprint does not take into account. These elements have a major impact on the climate, but are not quantified in conventional carbon footprint calculations.
The LIMITATIONS of the climate shadow
1. Difficult to measure and quantify
Climate shadow includes invisible elements such as voting or informal discussions, which are difficult to measure. This makes its assessment complex and less accurate, says the article.
2. Unnecessary opposition with carbon footprint
Climate shadow and carbon footprint are complementary, but Emma Pattee suggests opposing them, which is counter-productive, according to "Good buddy", for whom as both concepts are useful and should be used together.
3. Risk of oversimplification
The climate shadow can simplify some complex issues. For example, the idea that "having one child less is one of the five most important actions is not so simple", says "bon pote". It can also overlook important factors linked to collective or political action.
